One of the biggest surprises for Southern Miss over the summer was the commitment of Stanhope-Elmore (Ala.) quarterback Arsenio Favor. The talented 6-foot-4, 220-pounder impressed during the Southern Miss HS Elite Camp and shows the skills needed to be successful on the next level. In this exclusive interview with BigGoldNation.com he talks about Southern Miss and what set the Eagles apart from the competition in the recruiting battles.

They just made me feel more comfortable than any of the other schools," Favor said.

And the feeling didn't come from just the coaching staff.

"It was just my comfort zone," he said. "The coaches, the players, everybody treated me like I was already part of the team."

Southern Miss offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic was charged with recruiting Favor for the Eagles.

"Coach Kap(lovic) is real cool," he said. "We talk all the time. Him and my mom have gotten real close, he's close to my mom and my dad likes him too."

When Favor committed it was good news in the Southern Miss football office.

"Coach Kap was real excited when I committed," Favor said. "I think he was more excited than Coach Fedora or anyone. I like him a lot."

Favor selected Southern Miss over offers from Arkansas St and Western Kentucky. He was also heavily recruited by Louisville, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Mississippi and Miss State.

With his college decision out of the way Favor and his Stanhope-Elmore team mates are getting down to business. Monday was the first day of camp for the team.

"It was a long, hard day," Favor said. "I just had to push through it and lead the younger guys on the team."

The team is expected to be one of Alabama's top teams this year with Favor and team mates Rodney Davis and DeMarcus Milliner could be as good a threesome as anyone in the state.

"Our goal is a State Championship," Favor said. "Lots of teams are thinking about Prattville, we're thinking about our next game."

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